How is Liver Cancer Diagnosed?
To diagnose liver cancer, a full-body diagnosis will be carried out to check out your overall health. This includes spotting any unusual signs, lumps, or irregularities. Alongside this, a thorough history of your health habits, past illnesses, and previous treatments will be gathered. For deeper insight, liver function tests come into play. These blood tests measure specific substances released by your liver. Higher-than-normal levels of these substances can signal the presence of cancer.
The MRI test employs magnetic fields, radio waves, and computers to capture detailed images of your internal body regions, including your liver. A dye injected into your vein enhances the visualisation of blood vessels. This offers clearer views of liver anomalies. CT scan utilises X-rays and a computer to create detailed images of your internal body areas from various angles. A dye might be introduced through injection or ingestion to enhance visibility. Triple-phase CT involves capturing images at three intervals after dye administration, giving the best view of any liver abnormalities. Another option is a spiral or helical CT scan, producing cross-sectional images through spiral scanning.
Should more insight be needed, a biopsy will be recommended for you. This involves removing cells or tissues for microscopic examination by a pathologist, aiding in detecting cancer.
Once cancer is diagnosed, further tests are conducted to determine liver cancer stages. This will help determine if cancer cells have spread within your liver or to other parts of your body.
How is Liver Cancer Treated?
For liver cancer treatment, you often find different types of doctors working together to create a complete plan for your care. This plan combines various treatments and includes a range of healthcare professionals like physician assistants, nurse practitioners, oncology nurses, social workers, pharmacists, counsellors, dietitians, and others.
Deciding on the best treatment options for you depends on several factors. These include how much of your liver is affected by cancer, liver cancer stages, your personal preferences, and overall health.
If there is the growth of a tumour during early liver cancer stages and your liver is functioning properly, your main objective for treatment will be to typically get rid of the tumour. Your treatment plan may also involve handling any symptoms and side effects you may experience. However, if the cancer is found in later liver cancer stages or your liver isn't working as it should, you and your doctor will have an elaborate discussion about the goals for different treatment options. At this stage, the focus of treatment might typically shift towards slowing down the cancer's growth. The focus will be on enhancing your quality of life by reducing symptoms, as well.
The treatments available for cancer can generally be categorised into those aiming to cure the cancer and those aiming to extend survival without necessarily eradicating the cancer. Some common treatment options are, namely, Surgery, Radiofrequency ablation (RFA), Targeted therapy, Radiation therapy, chemoembolisation, Percutaneous ethanol injection, Radioembolisation, Participation in clinical trials, and Immunotherapy.
The surgery method typically involves removing the liver tumour along with some of your healthy tissue. This is often the most effective treatment when the liver is not heavily affected and the tumour can be safely removed from a specific part of the liver. However, surgery might not be feasible for you if the tumour is too large, the liver is significantly damaged, the cancer has spread beyond the liver, or you have other serious health problems. Before undergoing surgery, it is important to discuss potential side effects with your healthcare team. Gaining a better understanding of the fundamentals of cancer surgery can help you mentally prepare and handle insurance matters as needed.
In some cases, liver transplantation may be considered. This complex surgery involves replacing your liver with healthy tissue from a donor. It's an option when specific criteria are met, such as tumour size and number, as well as donor availability. Generally, these criteria include having a single tumour that is typically 5 cm or smaller or having three or fewer tumours, each smaller than 3 cm.
Additionally, managing the physical, emotional, and social effects of cancer, as well as understanding metastatic HCC, remission, and the potential for cancer recurrence, are important aspects of your treatment journey.
Can Liver Cancer Be Prevented?
If you want to prevent liver cancer, at least to a certain extent, it is important to reduce your exposure to well-established risk factors.
The link between alcohol consumption and cirrhosis, a precursor to cancer, is well-established. By either avoiding alcohol or practising moderate drinking, you can proactively lower your vulnerability to liver cancer.
In regions with tropical and subtropical climates, you can make a great impact on reducing your exposure to cancer-causing substances like aflatoxins by changing the way you store certain grains. Taking cues from countries that have implemented regulations to prevent and monitor grain contamination, you have a potential model to follow, which not only helps minimise this risk but also contributes to improving your overall health.
You should take into account that obesity plays a significant role, as it greatly raises your risk of developing fatty liver disease and diabetes. These conditions are closely connected to the onset of cancer.
Globally, you need to be aware that chronic infections like HBV (hepatitis B virus) and HCV (hepatitis C virus) are the main contributors to cancer. These viruses can spread through actions such as sharing needles contaminated with drugs, engaging in unprotected sexual intercourse, and can even be transmitted from a mother to her child during childbirth. It's within your control to make a difference. By adopting safer practices, like steering clear of needle sharing and consistently using condoms during sexual activities, you have the power to significantly reduce your chances of developing cancer.
If you're diagnosed with chronic HBV or HCV infections, a combination of treatments and preventive measures can help slow down liver damage and decrease your risk of cancer. Innovative medications targeting chronic HCV infections have shown promise in eliminating the virus in a significant number of patients, thereby reducing the risk of cancer. Various medications are available for treating chronic HBV, which work to lower the amount of virus in your bloodstream and mitigate liver damage. While these drugs can't provide a complete cure, they do help decrease the risk of cirrhosis and may also offer protection against cancer.
You might not realise it, but you could be carrying chronic HBV or HCV infections without displaying any symptoms. To uncover such instances, you must undergo testing for these viruses at least once in your lifetime.
Taking steps to quit smoking can go a long way in reducing your risk, not only for the specific type of cancer mentioned but also for a variety of other cancers and potentially life-threatening illnesses connected to it.
Living with Liver Cancer
Following treatment for liver cancer, you may experience the elimination or destruction of the cancerous growth. While completing treatment can bring a sense of relief, the concern about cancer recurrence often lingers, a sentiment commonly shared among cancer survivors.
Even after treatment is complete, maintaining diligent monitoring by medical professionals remains essential. Attending follow-up appointments is a crucial step. During these visits, your physicians will inquire about any emerging issues, conduct physical examinations, and carry out tests to detect potential signs of cancer recurrence or treatment-related side effects.
If you have undergone surgical procedures or liver transplants, it is typical to receive advice on undergoing imaging tests and blood work every 3 to 6 months during the initial 2-year period, followed by assessments every 6 to 12 months.
Conclusion
In your body, your liver plays critical roles in bile production, glycogen storage, and blood detoxification. Unfortunately, liver cancer disrupts these functions, causing a significant impact. It is vital to grasp what are the symptoms of liver cancer and explore available treatment options to improve your quality of life. Further, it is always important to invest in a good insurance policy early on to be financially covered while you go through the relevant cancer treatment. Treatment of critical illnesses like cancer can be both expensive and continuing. To ensure quality and continuous treatment, make sure you are covered with an adequate sum insured critical illness health insurance plan.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your general physician or another certified medical professional for any questions regarding a medical condition. Relying on any information provided in this blog is solely at your own risk, and ICICI Lombard is not responsible for any effects or consequences resulting from the use of the information shared.
Related Articles: